Rain and Lightning Policies

RAIN OUT POLICY

Due to limited field availability, every effort is made to play games on the days and at the times as they are scheduled. Typically, games will not be called until mid-late afternoon as our fields dry very quickly. If you have not heard from a NELL Executive Committee member, the Board Member on Duty (“BMOD”), or your team’s manager, please assume the game is being played as scheduled. Many times a decision to cancel a game may be a “game time” decision. In all conditions, player safety is paramount.

The procedure for canceling games prior to game time in the event of inclement weather is as follows:

If possible, a league official, manger, coach or other qualified individual will visit the NELL fields during the day to determine field conditions.

If an email from the league regarding field conditions has not been received, the BMOD for the location in question should get to the field earlier than normal and make a determination about playing conditions.

The BMOD then gets in touch with an Executive Committee member (President, VP of Baseball, VP of Softball, Treasurer, Secretary, Information Officer) and together they make a determination.

The following will be considered when canceling games:

How much it has rained on the fields?

Is there any more rain expected and, if so, when?

Can we get the fields in playing condition by a game time?

How much help will we have in getting the fields ready?

If a game is cancelled, NELL will attempt to mass email if access to the NELL computers is available. If not, NELL will email all managers and the managers should contact their families. An attempt to post on the NELL Facebook page will also be made if possible. If you have not received a cancellation email, your team should assume the game is being played and should arrive at the normally scheduled time or a forfeit will be awarded.

Once players and parents begin arriving at the field (approximately 30 minutes before game time), the BMOD is in charge and has authority to suspend play and/or cancel games.

When a rainout occurs during the Spring season, every attempt to reschedule the game will be made and the game must be made up within two weeks following the rained out game. If the rainout occurs during the last 2 weeks of the regular season then the game will be played on the first available date.

The Home Team is responsible for contacting the Player Agent and the Scheduling Coordinator to reschedule the game.

The procedure for drying out a playable but wet field is as follows:

Access the field supply room and locate the rakes, squeegees and the bags of “quick dry”

Attempt to remove water from base paths and pitching mound via raking, squeegee and quick dry.

LIGHTNING POLICY

All play is to be suspended immediately if lightning can be seen or thunder can be heard. Lightning detection units and a weather radio/lightening meter located in the concession stand will be monitored by the Board Member on Duty (“BMOD”). This is true for games or in the case of practices; the team manager or coach should use the device and make the decision to cancel practice. If the lightning meter registers a 0 – 8 on the meter during a game, the BMOD shall suspend the game. If during a practice, the manager or coach shall suspend the practice.

An announcement to suspend games and clear the fields will come from the BMOD. This announcement will supersede any league rules as well as umpire or coach decisions and will apply to all fields and games at the park.

When play is suspended, players, coaches and parents should move immediately to a car, if you cannot get to your car, then take shelter inside a building with four walls and a roof. No one should take shelter under the concession or playground canopy during a thunderstorm. These locations are not safe from a lightning strike.

Weather safety experts recommend waiting 30 minutes after a storm passes before resuming play. Lightning strikes occur in all directions around storms, even behind them. Do not rush to resume play even if skies begin to clear. Wait until thunder is no longer audible or about 30 minutes after a storm passes. Neither the suspension of play or the safety of our families is taken lightly; the safety of our children is paramount at all times.

The all-clear announcement will come from the BMOD based on the above criteria and no games may resume until this announcement is made.